Giants finally earn first victory of season

Published 11:15 pm, Monday, October 21, 2013

Giants running back Peyton Hillis (left) and guard David Diehl embrace after Hillis scored in the third quarter.

Giants running back Peyton Hillis (left) and guard David Diehl embrace after Hillis scored in the third quarter.

Photo: Elsa / Getty Images

Giants finally earn first victory of season

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants got their first win of the season Monday night by holding Adrian Peterson in check and converting Minnesota mistakes into a 23-7 victory.

The Giants began the season with six losses in which they were the team turning over the ball and showing little penchant for playing defense. But against the Vikings (1-5), they were efficient enough, if not overwhelming, and had three takeaways.

Peterson, the league's MVP last season, was held to 28 yards rushing five days after his 2-year-old son was buried in South Dakota. The man accused in the death was indicted on second-degree murder and manslaughter charges.

Peterson was not aided by a rusty Josh Freeman, making his debut as Vikings QB. He finished 20 of 53 for 190 yards and an interception. Josh Brown kicked three field goals, Rueben Randle caught a 24-yard TD pass and Peyton Hillis ran for a TD for New York.